The man was spotted in a busy area where there were a number of children
Police have thanked members of the public for reporting a man armed with a machete in the Shankill Road area on Thursday evening.
Police received multiple 99 calls on the evening of April 9 regarding a man carrying a large machete at the Townsend Street and Shankill Road junction, with it being reported that there were a number of people in the area inlcuding children.
Officers arrived at the scene and disarmed the 40-year-old man and arrested him for Possession of an Offensive weapon and Simple drunk.
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As officers were leaving the scene, they spotted a white Volkswagen Golf being driven erratically in the Townsend Street area and stopped the vehicle and gave the driver a breath test. The 39-year-old was arrested for Driving with excess alcohol, Possession of an Offensive weapon, Disorderly behaviour and Possession of a Class B controlled drug.
A further evidence sample in custody found that the man was twice over the legal limit.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Road Policing Interceptors from Sprucefield were patrolling in the North Belfast area earlier this evening when several reports were received via 999 of a male in the area of Townsend Street and Shankill Road junction who was carrying a large machete, at this time, there were numerous people in the area, including children.
“Officers took decisive action to disarm the man and take control of him and the weapon.”
They added: “Once again thanks go out to those members of public who took time to ring Police to report the male with the Machete, their prompt actions have possibly prevented someone being injured and/or damage caused to property.”
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